A platform to explore the sensational, mediocre and life changing meals that Melbourne has to offer.

Food

Monday, 17 October 2016

Belleville

Situated in China Town, you could almost blink and you'd miss the entrance to Belleville on Globe Alley. However, on climbing a flight of stairs and walking through Belleville's doors, you quickly realise it's not your usual China Town venue. Set up in an old warehouse, with its graffitied walls, exposed beams, eclectic array of artwork and furniture, and a DJ pumping out the tunes from as early as 6pm, it definitely epitomises Melbourne's laneway culture.

Famous for its rotisserie salt water brined free range chicken, Belleville serves up quarter, half or whole chickens - I couldn't exactly pay Belleville a visit without trying at least a bit of their chook. To share we ordered half a chicken ($17) with the miso butter glaze. For the sauce, whist usually a lover of all things spicy, I would highly recommend passing on the "Hot as F*$K" fireball sauce, and going for the medium sauce of coriander, ginger and chilli ($1.50) - whilst not having any spice factor, this sauce is packed full of flavour.

Voted by Urban List as one of the best poutine's in Melbourne, Belleville's poutine ($11) is not to be missed. Smothered with delicious cheese, gravy and hot sauce, it's the sort of dish which dreams are made of.

Aside from the poutine, other highlights of the night for me were the sticky pork hock with red papaya salad ($15.50) which was fresh, fragrant and deliciously sticky, and the lobster mac'n'cheese croquette with Japanese mustard and bacon jam ($4.50) which was rich, creamy and an absolutely decadent treat.

The disappointments of the night were definitely the char grilled lamb ribs ($12), and the beef meatballs stuffed with cheddar ($10). The ribs were unfortunately mostly fat (I think between the three of us, only one of us got a skerrick of meat) and it was like a treasure hunt to find the cheese within the meatballs which were overall uninspiring.

Whilst Belleville didn't necessarily hit a home run with all of its dishes, with its trendy and buzzing vibe, welcoming staff and some superstars on its menu, Belleville will definitely still go on my recommendation list.

I once had a colleague tell me that every new place I tried was "my new fave”. While there may be a skerrick of truth to her statement, I blame it on living in Melbourne – one of the best food destinations of the world.

That being said, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned from a substandard feed - no one deserves to waste their calories on anything but mind-blowing, tongue tingling taste sensations.

Hence came the blog - a platform to explore the sensational, mediocre and life changing meals that Melbourne has to offer.